I want to congratulate Judiciary Chairman Smith, Subcommittee Chairman Goodlatte and Ranking Member Watt as well as the House Leadership for their stewardship in ushering the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act onto the floor for consideration before the full House. Enactment of bi-partisan patent reform legislation would be a major step forward in transforming our patent system and improving the Nation's competitiveness and promoting economic growth. As the Statement of Administration Policy issued today indicates, the USPTO will need full access to all of its fees in order to carry out the mandates of this legislation effectively and perform its core mission to support America's inventors. I look forward to continuing to work with Congress on this important matter as the bill moves toward final passage.